Your Dad's set was not in the general consumer catalog. It contains a grouping of a locomotive and cars that was only available from the distributor AMC. The sets were likely sold to Mom and Pop hardware stores in the general area for a special wholesale price in the midst of the depression that was below the catalog price of a similar set. The guide book also lists a AMC set 'Special no. 2"
The orange stripe on the engine was discontinued in 1933, so your set dates to 1932.
